Nuclear Fuel Elements: Design, Fabrication and Performance is concerned with the design, fabrication, and performance of nuclear fuel elements, with emphasis on fast reactor fuel elements. Topics range from fuel types and the irradiation behavior of fuels to cladding and duct materials, fuel element design and modeling, fuel element performance testing and qualification, and the performance of water reactor fuels. Fast reactor fuel elements, research and test reactor fuel elements, and unconventional fuel elements are also covered.
This volume consists of 12 chapters and begins with an overview of nuclear reactors and fuel elements, as well as fuel element design and development based on the reactor operator's approach, materials scientist's approach, and interdisciplinary approach. The reader is then introduced to different types of nuclear fuels and their irradiation behavior, considerations for using cladding and duct materials in fuel element design and development, and fuel element design and modeling. The chapters that follow focus on the testing of fuel element performance, experimental techniques and equipment for testing fuel element designs, and the performance of fuels for water reactors. Fuel elements for gas-cooled reactors, fast reactors, and research and test reactors are also described. The book concludes with an assessment of unconventional fuel elements.
This book will be useful to fuel element technologists as well as materials scientists and engineers.
Inhalt
Chapter 1 Introduction and Philosophy
The Reactor Operator's Approach
The Materials Scientist's Approach
The Interdisciplinary Approach
Chapter 2 Fuel Types
Fuel Origins
Fuel Forms
Metal Fuels
Metallic Dispersion Fuels
Liquid Fuels
Fuel Characterization
Appendix: Phase Diagrams
Chapter 3 Irradiation Behavior of Fuels
Oxides
Carbides and Nitrides
Dispersion Fuels
Appendix: Burn-up and Rating of Nuclear Fuels
Chapter 4 Cladding and Duct Materials
Design Considerations
Commonly used Materials and Their Properties
Compatibility
Radiation Effects
Chapter 5 Fuel Element Design and Modeling
Some Sources of Data and Codes
Chapter 6 Fuel Element Performance Testing and Qualification
Strategies
Post-Test Examination
Commercialization
Appendix: Suppliers of Specialized Equipment
Chapter 7 Experimental Techniques and Equipment
Out-of-Pile
In-Pile
Post-Irradiation Examination
Chapter 8 Water Reactor Fuel Performance
PWR
BWR
HWR
Failure
Failure Mechanisms
Licensing and Regulation
17 x 17 Fuel Surveillance Program
Chapter 9 Gas-Cooled Reactor Fuel Elements
Magnox
French Gas-Graphite
AGR
HTGR
Safety
Chapter 10 Fast Reactor Fuel Elements
Introduction
Early Reactors
Prototype Reactors
Chapter 11 Research and Test Reactor Fuel Elements
Chapter 12 Unconventional Fuel Elements
Some Useful General References
Tabulation of Industrial Capabilities in the USA
Index